US Secretary of State John Kerry looks down as Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond speaks to the media about the attack that took place this morning on worshippers in a Jerusalem synagogue before their breakfast meeting at 1 Carlton Gardens in London, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)
(The Associated Press)

LONDON – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Tuesday's attack on a Jerusalem synagogue is an "act of pure terror and senseless brutality and violence."

He is calling on Palestinian leaders to condemn it "in the most powerful terms."

Two Palestinians stormed the Jerusalem synagogue, attacking worshippers with knives, axes and guns, and killing four people before they were killed in a shootout with police.

Kerry is blaming the attack on Palestinian calls for "days of rage," and says Palestinian leaders must take serious steps to refrain from such incitement.

Kerry says he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attacks.